"You see, I'm looking for the You that used to speak so clear
I'm looking for the me that had a heart to hear
And I'm looking for the passion that held me here
On the edge". Margaret Becker Find Me
In the hustle and bustle of our lives with this distraction and that distraction have we forgotten to take the time to look around?
We are all so busy with trying to learn from others we forget to learn from "life". Have you ever taken the time to sit and listen? Away from the normalcy of our life? In my quest to try understand this "Perceived Presence" that keeps hunting me I am looking around more and more. As I begin to understand that there are no coincidences, and as I begin to take them seriously, I begin to realize that there is something more. Something spiritual is operating under everything we do. As I begin to realize this I have come to believe in a new view of life. I am beginning to see life around me as one of energy, an energy that I can draw upon. An energy I can learn from.
Many many years ago I had a fledgling friendship with a person that I met by happen chance. My family and I, living in Edgewater Florida at the time, went to friends house for an afternoon party. As we were walking up to our fiends house a tall man and his son came riding up on bicycles. At that time in my life I was very much into bike riding and instantly struck up a conversation with this guy and his son. As the days and weeks went on we became mutual bike riding buddies and enjoyed each others company on many bike rides. Even going so far as entering in a bicycle ride that begins in Cocoa Beach Florida and ending north of Tampa Florida, 172 miles, in one day. But as life moves on we went our separate ways and did not speak for many many years. And as God is my witness I do not remember how, but within the past 12 months, a period of time in my life when I needed a friend the most, this man and I have gotten into contact again. In the past months, this man and I have, over the miles of distance between Pagosa Springs Colorado and Center Valley Pennsylvania, become best friends. Coincidence? Hmmmmm..... Some 20 years ago, someone, something new that I would need a friend. There was something spiritual working that afternoon as this guy pulled up on his bike. My FRIEND, Steve Potter, has become a sounding board, an encourager and a motivator. Both Steve and I have renewed our love of bike riding. At 53 years old, Steve is older than I, believe we are in better shape than we have been in many many moons. Both physically and more importantly, mentally.
I have asked Steve to write a story for "our" blog. The story follows. Read and enjoy. Go find a place you can listen to the world around. See if you can listen to what the universe is telling you.......
The days go by so rapidly as the thoughts of another winter approach... Peddling the bike toward some quicker resolve of the impending cold seems futile...There is such beauty wrapped up in the seasonal changes sometimes you have to just stop and think. How fortunate am I to live in a place God has Blessed with an abundance of proof that he exists.... I have re-awakened recently to an old world that I enjoyed for so many years and left behind with the demands of work, poor judgement and decisions that complicated life..... Thinking that all I had to do was to work harder was fine, to not step back and learn from past decisions was not conducive to placing the train back on the track.... Work is still there and is no less consuming than ever before. More successful yes true, but taking time to reacquaint myself with things that I have enjoyed years past has helped bring renewed friendships and a new perspective to life...
The bicycle is not the answer to life's mysteries. To me, it is a simple and genuine means of reacquainting myself with the goals and desires for which I have had.... There is something genuine about the relationship of the bike to the rider, and the rider to the world in which you have been placed....
Riding along a new stretch of highway often reveals sights that you may have passed by on numerous occasions, but until now have never revealed the intricate struggles that make its existence significant...
The flora on the cliffs of a mountain pass, as they cling to side of the shear stone faces persevere long hard winters, torrential rains, and long stretches of dry high desert winds.... Yet somehow, you relate to them on a more personal level. Their struggle to survive makes them strong, vibrant, and worthy of being your equal in the desire to live...
I never really understood why there is such satisfaction in the suffering that accompanies the shear desire to climb a 11,000' pass.... Nor can I rationalize the anxiety that occurs within while planning an epic ride. A ride into the rarified air that extends beyond a perceived limit of one's training.... Although, the inner peace that is born from the physical suffering, and the pushing of ones limits creates a renewed strength of the mind, body, and spirit... The suffering becomes familiar, and like an old friend you return to visit... and visit often... Suffering is something that reminds us of our frailties, our limits, it can make us weak or make us stronger.... Suffering, instills us with the desire to overcome, conquer and not to quit... Tennyson said "to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield"... Suffering becomes part of that journey.. something we relate to on a more personal level. Maybe bringing us closer to our goals, our dreams, and our God....
In the end though, we often find that success serves as fuel for our inner fire.....It's baffling how I can feel so much closer to God doing a bike ride.... The time spent in the saddle allows me time to reflect upon my world and to talk to God without interruption......The reason we began doing something may change... Where once the ride was something I did for my physical health has now turned into something done to feed my spirit.... Yes maybe it is an escape, but it has also has become a refuge or hiding spot that allows me to shut out the world for a moment, without closing any doors....
The mountain flora that clings to that cliff? Survives all the seasonal suffering but, produces the flower that imprints a permanent picture upon my mind as I pass by... And with the steady churning of my legs, a familiar burning begins that is embraced, as if an old friend has come to visit..... We ride together up the mountain.... Striving to reach the goal, resolving not to yield. Reaching the summit, the suffering departs, a new dream begins, and I look forward to the next time we can visit again....
Steven J. Potter
Steve and I have made a plan to travel to Cocoa Beach Florida this spring, April 1st. to be exact, the first time we will physically see each other in 20 years, and ride the Cross Florida bike ride. This ride is sponsored by the Space Coast Freewheelers. It is one day and covers 172 miles. A day that began long ago, brought about by a non coincidence. An ordered event designed by a "Perceived Presence" in both our lives.
